Dear Annie: After more than two years sharing e-mails, woman I met online still won’t talk over the phone

Dear Annie: I met a woman, “Alice,” on a dating site. We have been emailing each other for 27 months. We have never met; she lives in Seattle, and I live outside of Atlanta. We are both 70 years old.

I don’t quite understand our relationship. We seem to get along really well, and she has my phone number but won’t give me hers. I’ve asked for it a couple of times, but she asked me not to pressure her.

She told me she had a horrible divorce. I don’t know if she is scared to commit. I really don’t push it. I really enjoy her, and to be honest there have been times where I think I should break it off, but I like her so much I go back to her.

I have thought of asking her if I can fly out there to meet, but I am a little nervous about asking. I think I should just see how the relationship goes (she tells me she’s going to retire) and let the chips fall where they may. I really don’t want to lose her.

You’re probably going to tell me to let her go, but to be honest, it’s really hard to find someone I like when I meet them off a dating site. No one can compare to her. I just wish I knew what to do. — Stuck

Dear Stuck: After 27 months without meeting in person, I don’t blame you for wondering what to do. Her hesitation to share her phone number might be an indication that she isn’t ready for a relationship. The only way to know for sure is to ask her to meet up in person. You deserve a relationship that is real and reciprocated.